The Laws of Nature

Thursday, September 16, 2010

How I Spent My Summer Vacation



Hello friends!! I apologize for my prolonged absence from the blogosphere. However, my summer home in Maine doesn't allow me easy access to the internet. So, I'll use today's post to let you know what I've been up to for the past three months and then try to find something more interesting to discuss that is related to "art" tomorrow, now that I'm back in New York.

For those of you who've been following this blog you already know that I hung two exhibitions this summer. The first exhibition was hung in June/July at the Port Clyde Gallery in Maine. It was well attended and I sold ten paintings. The second exhibition was held in August/September in New York and (coincidentally) I sold ten paintings there as well!

I managed to teach a few art workshops over the summer and thoroughly enjoyed my students. It's wonderful to witness that "aha!" moment when a student realizes a new direction and begins to achieve mastery. I look forward to working with new students as time progresses.

I completed very few of my own paintings this summer, but that's what Fall/Winter/Spring is for. Pretty soon (tomorrow) I'll isolate myself in my studio and continue working on my series "The Laws of Nature." So far, three paintings from this series have been juried into major exhibitions: The San Diego Watercolor Society's 30th International Exhibition where my painting won the Dick Blick award, The Aqueous USA 2010 exhibtion, and The 34th Annual Open International Exhibition 2010 of the North East Watercolor Society.

My work appears in three books and a DVD this summer, and I'll include more information about this in future posts.

Now for the best part: I bought a kayak!! It's a Scirocco sixteen-foot long sea-going kayak. I also took a course in paddling techniques and rescue. I have a deep love for all things aquatic and getting out on the ocean in a kayak is a blast.

I've just finished reading all your wonderful comments from the summer and am blown-away by the substance and insights! Can't wait to see how our future discussions develop!

It's good to be "back."

17 comments:

RH Carpenter said...

Good to have you back and congratulations on the sales, the shows, and the awards!!! WOW!

Casey Klahn said...

Your summer was productive - congrats especially on the merits for your Laws of Nature series. Wow.

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Well, sounds like your summer was entirely successful: rest, sales, students and kayaking...couldn't be better!

I'm glad you're back and look forward to our next art odyssey!

-Don said...

Welcome back! You were missed. I'm glad you had such a relaxing, productive summer. Can you say oxymoron?

Congrats on how Laws of Nature has been received. They are well deserving of every accolade.

Happy Creating!

-Don

M said...

There are many ways to be productive! Congratulations on all your successes this summer.

It's good to have be back and to have you back commenting again. I look forward to a stimulating fall and winter.

Mark Sheeky said...

Good to have you back and well done on the 20 sales. Hmm... I wonder if there are some unpainted laws of motion that relate to that kayak..?

hw (hallie) farber said...

Sounds like a really great and successful summer. Congratulations and I'm glad you're back

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous summer! Congratulations on all of your hard earned successes.
I'm so glad you are back. I've really missed you.

Stan Kurth said...

I've missed you. Welcome back! I've been absent as well, but things are picking up and I'm looking forward to change. Congratulations on the major exhibitions success and the sales.

Dan Kent said...

Welcome back! So good to hear from you, and that you were so successful! Love the kayak!! I've been sort of away too - longest period without a post. I have a schedule change and some life events that have wreaked havoc on my posting and visiting. I am sure I will be able to arrange my time eventually. The Georgia O'Keefe book is called "O'Keefe" by Britta Benke, published by Taschen - a little thing bought in the sale rack at the bookstore. Very rewarding for me though. You have to know what it has led to (I think I had art philosophy withdrawal because of you!) In 1916 O'Keefe was told about a book just translated into English, and she was still referring back to the same book at age 97! So I just had to get it (and if you have reviewed that book, it was before my time as a groupie - I will have to check your archives): "Concerning the Spiritual in Art" by Wassily Kandinsky. My resulting art experiments were comical (at least to my wife) but exciting for me. And of course I finally bought "The Art Spirit" by Robert Henri. Just started that, and after only about 10 pages I am enriched. Thank you. So over the summer I finally mentally have become an artist, mostly defined by what I hunger to do (and it is a hunger) and by what I dream is possible (beyond mere illustration). I guess Kandinsky could call it the "inner need" which I must learn to use. There - sorry you asked? ;) So glad to have you back.

Dan Kent said...

Whoa - that was a bit long, wasn't it. :)

Celeste Bergin said...

great to have you back --you've been missed! Congratulations on all the sales and recognition. You deserve it!

Unknown said...

Hi Rhonda - thanks! It's great to be back.

Hi Casey - Thanks!

Hi Elizabeth - Oh, yes - I'm looking forward to the odyssey with you all as well!

Hi Don - it was a loooonnnggg absence and I missed our conversations.

Hi Margaret - glad you had a good summer vacation, too!

Hi Mark - you make me smile :-) Yes, I think there are some natural laws associated with kayaking - at least when I capsize it seems that way!

Hi Hallie - Thank you!

Hi Pamo - Thanks!

Hi Stan - I hope your vacation was a good one as well!

Hi Dan - I haven't read Kandinsky's book so now you've inspired me to do so! It must be worthwhile if O'Keeffe found it important for a lifetime. And, it's good to know that you've identified with being an "artist" since you ARE one!! Great comment, by the way. Thanks!

Hi Celeste - good to be back! Thank you!

Carolyn Abrams said...

Welcome home Kathy!! Look forward to more great books! and congrats on all the successful artwork!

Unknown said...

Hi Carolyn - Thank you! Looking forward to seeing you soon :-)

Eva said...

Welcome back.You are very fortunate to be doing so well in this economy! I hope this is a sign that things will pick up for all of the other great artists out there who are struggling to make ends meet. wishing you continued success.

Ellen Roles said...

great to see another artist in a kayak !!